Typically talking, PC gaming is synonymous with a keyboard and mouse, and for good purpose. Genres like first-person shooters and technique profit significantly from the improved accuracy supplied by this management scheme, and it may be tough to develop accustomed to utilizing the rest for video games that fall inside these classes. Grand and real-time technique initiatives spent a long time ignoring consoles for the reason that considered adapting their controls for gamepads appeared futile; these days, this style is not any stranger to PlayStation and Xbox ports, though its representatives are typically at their finest on PC.
Whereas most releases attempt to embody correct help for keyboard and mouse setups, a couple of PC Video games are higher with controllers. Titles that concentrate on reflex-based motion or high-octane melee motion are typically good matches for gamepads. Much like keyboard and mouse, a couple of genres are related to controllers, particularly if their foremost franchises began on consoles and ultimately made their technique to computer systems. What are the finest controller video games on PC?
Please notice that the video games should not ranked in any order. Latest releases may even be listed first.
Up to date September 22, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Most PC video games are superior with both a Ok+M or a controller, and the choice in the end comes down to private desire. Nonetheless, a couple of exceptions exist, and a chief one got here out earlier in September 2025. We have added Silksong to this text.
Hole Knight: Silksong (& Hole Knight)
Keyboard Is Superb, However The Controller Feels A Bit Extra Pure
It took fairly a very long time to grow to be a actuality, however Hole Knight‘s sequel was lastly launched in September 2025. Contemplating the hype was by way of the roof, the actual fact Silksong even got here near residing as much as these expectations is a testomony to Staff Cherry’s expertise, and the sequel is an absolute blast on each platform.
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How Long Is Silksong? (& How Many Silksong Acts Are There?)
Speedrunning Hole Knight: Silksong’s foremost story might be achieved moderately shortly, however a standard playthrough takes some time longer.
Like its predecessor, Silksong might be performed with both a controller or a keyboard, each of that are practical. That mentioned, the latter will seemingly require rebinding the keys because the default structure isn’t significantly intuitive and generally is a contact irritating. Nonetheless, if you wish to solely play with a keyboard, you must have the ability to make it work. Nonetheless, Silksong appears designed with a gamepad in thoughts. The controls really feel far more pure with a controller than with a keyboard, particularly when you unlock extra choices/mechanics after a couple of hours of gameplay. In the end, I’d not advise shopping for a controller just to play Silksong, however undoubtedly strive it in case you have one mendacity round.
I would say Hole Knight is a bit worse with a keyboard than Silksong. No less than, I discovered it extra unenjoyable.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Would not Require A Controller, However Haptic Suggestions Is Good
A prime contender for 2025’s finest sport, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a unbelievable RPG that mixes turn-based and real-time inputs, making a battle system that’s harking back to basic JRPGs however nonetheless feels recent. Now, turn-based video games are typically good with both keyboard/mouse or controllers, though the latter tends to be the popular choice. Clair Obscur particularly recommends utilizing a gamepad, which is sensible as fight makes use of haptic suggestions to offer some steering on when to protect/block/assault in a couple of cases.
Regardless of this suggestion, the sport is totally playable with a keyboard and mouse, to the purpose that the controller suggestion appears a bit pointless. Personally, I want taking part in a majority of these lengthy RPGs with a controller, simply so I can sit on the sofa; nonetheless, in case you are struggling to get the fight timings down with a controller, it is perhaps value making an attempt a Ok+M.
The First Berserker: Khazan
Soulslikes Video games & Controllers Are Synonymous With Every Different
In terms of Soulslikes, the consensus is that they’re higher with a controller than a keyboard and mouse. Now, that status largely stems from the style’s earliest PC video games doing a reasonably unhealthy job of adapting their controls to a Ok+M, and fairly a couple of of them debuted on consoles earlier than making their technique to computer systems. These days, most main Soulslike releases launch concurrently on all platforms, so they need to cater to all customers equally. Consequently, these video games have typically grow to be much better at offering first rate Ok+M help, no less than to the purpose that they’re normally usable.
That mentioned, Soulslikes nonetheless arguably really feel higher with a controller. The First Berserker: Khazan is without doubt one of the style’s hardest entries shortly, and its punishing battle system requires extraordinarily fast enter and reactions. The marketing campaign focuses closely on fight and managers, with exploration being fairly restricted. Players have three weapon types to master, together with pretty intensive ability bushes for every. The First Berserker: Khazan is hard-as-nails, and whereas a controller doesn’t make the sport simpler, it makes it barely extra comfy.
Break up Fiction
Controllers Are A Extra Pure Match For Native Co-Op
Like Hazelight’s different challenge, Break up Fiction can solely be performed in 2-player co-op, be it native or on-line. The game fully supports controllers and keyboard + mouse, and they’re each actually fairly good. Because the marketing campaign continually throws out new gameplay concepts and mechanics, sure ranges swimsuit a gamepad whereas others are barely higher with a Ok+M, so every part sort of balances out on the finish.
Now, the above largely holds true for on-line co-op, since each gamers can simply choose whichever management scheme they like. Nonetheless, PC gamers who will likely be utilizing Break up Fiction‘s native co-op will seemingly need to implement one controller on the naked minimal, and the expertise is perhaps smoother if each customers choose for a similar enter gadget.
Break up Fiction permits a Ok+M and controller for use concurrently, so gamers can simply go along with their most well-liked choice.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Actual Yakuza (Pirates) Use A Gamepad
Yakuza/Like a Dragon games have a protracted and storied historical past of selling gamepads. The PC ports embody prompts recommending that gamers use a controller, to the purpose that the “Actual Yakuza Use a Gamepad” message is sort of notorious by this level. Whereas trendy releases debut concurrently on PC, the franchise was console-exclusive for a really very long time and nonetheless embraces that legacy.
Now, to be trustworthy, the video games implement keyboard and mouse help effectively, and most of them are completely playable. It’s primarily Yakuza 0 and the Kiwami video games that may really feel awkward at instances with a Ok+M, and they’re simply workable with a little bit of follow. Ever for the reason that mainline entries switched to turn-based fight, the participant’s chosen peripheral has grow to be unimportant.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a throwback to the franchise’s real-time beat ’em up days, a fight system that’s tailored for a controller. The ship-based motion can also be a very good match for a gamepad, though every part works effectively with a keyboard and mouse. Nonetheless, as that is an open-world sport with a reasonably laid-back rhythm, a controller can really feel like a greater match, particularly for gamers who’ve their PC connected to a TV and need to simply sit again on a sofa.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Keyboard + Mouse Is Superb, However May Require Some Changes
Cygames’ Granblue Fantasy has been round since 2014, however the unique sport was a cellular Japanese unique. The IP made its Western gaming debut by way of Granblue Fantasy Versus and its sequel, that are combating sport spin-offs which are (naturally) very totally different from the core titles. Consequently, Granblue Fantasy: Relink will seemingly function the entry level for many individuals, and the 2024 motion RPG leaves a reasonably optimistic impression. Telling a narrative that may be accomplished in roughly 20 hours, the sport’s promoting level is its huge number of playable characters, all of whom are surprisingly distinctive. The endgame consists of doing more and more tougher missions whereas step by step leveling up these characters and unlocking their Masteries, a course of that may take a really, very very long time.
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8 Beginner Mistakes To Avoid When Playing Granblue Fantasy: Relink
New gamers to Granblue Fantasy: Relink can begin their playthrough heading in the right direction by avoiding the next errors.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink largely looks as if it was certainly for a controller, however Cygames did a very good job adapting the RPG to a keyboard and mouse. That mentioned, the digicam does really feel a bit off with the latter, so gamers who would moderately stick with a Ok+M would possibly need to change the settings. Nonetheless, the sport is a extra pure match with a controller, particularly for the characters who’re melee-based. Relink has fairly a very good lock-on function, too, so the ranged fighters are typically advantageous with a gamepad as effectively.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Effectively, It Is An Area Fighter
Whereas Dragon Ball video games are comparatively widespread, Sparking! Zero is totally different. The 2024 launch is ready inside the Budokai Tenkaichi collection, which produced three PS2 titles which are nonetheless extremely regarded amongst followers of the franchise. There have been fairly a couple of nice DB video games since 2007, however none fairly managed to scratch the identical itch as BT3. Sparking! Zero reached that promised land, presenting a contemporary evolution that very a lot preserves the basic trilogy’s enchantment.
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Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – 6 Moves You Need To Master
The fight in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is not overly difficult, there are nonetheless some key strikes that each participant should grasp.
Sparking! Zero had a very successful Steam launch, so plenty of PC gamers have added the challenge to their libraries. Whereas statistics should not obtainable, there need to be hundreds of people who find themselves sticking to a keyboard and have to beat a studying curve since 3D area fighters are just about at all times designed with controllers in thoughts. Nonetheless, if somebody has a long time of keyboard expertise behind them, they nonetheless would possibly really feel extra comfy taking up the sport’s challenges and not using a gamepad, even when it’d put them at a drawback in each the multiplayer and a number of the tougher AI fights. Additionally, make no mistake, Sparking! Zero might be fairly tough because it throws plenty of mechanics at gamers.
Warhammer 40,000: House Marine 2
Going Towards Commonplace Protocol
Typically talking, shooters are higher with a keyboard and mouse; nonetheless, like with every part, exceptions exist. Now, to be truthful, House Marine 2 isn’t purely a third-person shooter. Throughout the marketing campaign, gamers are prone to spend extra time partaking in melee fight over ranged warfare, and the latter comes with a reasonably beneficiant intention help that reduces the requirement for pinpoint accuracy.
Past that, House Marine 2‘s default Ok+M setup is pretty awkward and requires some adjusting (both by way of follow or rebinding keys). The controller is extra simple and accessible proper out of the field, supplied it really works.
Forza Horizon 5
Sit Again & Chill out
Most racing video games typically play higher with a controller than a keyboard or mouse. For racing sims, a high quality wheel is the way in which to go, however the identical does not at all times maintain true for arcade racers. When driving the quickest vehicles in Forza Horizon 5, gamers would possibly discover themselves most comfy with a controller because the autos are typically simpler to direct.
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Listed here are quite a lot of choices for the very best co-op video games that may be skilled in an open world setting.
Forza Horizon 5 is a soothing sport with fairly a little bit of downtime as gamers will spend a major period of time driving by way of Mexico whereas admiring the vistas. A controller matches the tone and pacing of the sport effectively because it permits customers to take a seat again and chill extra readily.
Black Fantasy: Wukong
Beneficial By Developer
Black Fantasy: Wukong‘s Steam web page accommodates a message from the developer recommending the usage of a controller, and it’s tough to argue in opposition to this standpoint. The 2024 RPG implements concepts from Soulslikes and character motion video games, two genres which are sometimes related to gamepads; that mentioned, Black Fantasy: Wukong is usually advantageous with a keyboard and mouse. That is to not say they’re equal or superior to a controller, however they’re usable and (naturally) present extra wiggle room for personalization. Due to this fact, individuals who are likely to want Ok+M ought to strive that management scheme moderately than routinely default to a controller.
Nonetheless, Black Fantasy: Wukong was very clearly created with a gamepad in thoughts, and the fight feels significantly at house when certain to that peripheral. The sport practically follows a boss rush format, guiding gamers from one epic struggle to the subsequent; consequently, the marketing campaign maintains a reasonably excessive degree of issue that presents little room for error. As such, the controller ought to reduce the training curve.
